For centuries, these small insects have brought invaluable benefits to people, plants and the environment in general. Bees, tireless workers, carry pollen from one flower to another, allowing the growth of fruits and vegetables and guaranteeing us the possibility of feeding ourselves in a varied and healthy way.

Without bees we would not have foods such as tomatoes, apples, strawberries, zucchini, aubergines, blueberries, chocolate, coffee and of course honey on our tables. 75 percent of food crops, in fact, are based on pollinating insects, of which bees represent the most important and efficient class. 90 percent of wild flowers and the production of many medicines of plant origin depend on them.

Not only. Bees are one of the best indicators of the quality and health of the environment.

World Bee Day, why is it celebrated?

World Bee Day was established in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, which chose May 20 in memory of the birth of the Slovenian Anton Jansa (1734-1773), a pioneer in the 18th century of modern beekeeping techniques. The celebration of this day aims to raise awareness of the importance of bees, the threats they are facing and their contribution to the health of the planet, our food and sustainable development.

Bees at risk of extinction, the causes

Bees represent one of the most serious and urgent ecological emergencies. The loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems are leading to the extinction of pollinators. It is estimated, in fact, that 40 percent of bee and butterfly species will soon disappear. The causes? Bees are dying, directly and indirectly, at the hands of man: climate change, pollution, loss of natural habitats, intensification of agricultural cultivation, indiscriminate use of pesticides and pesticides, pathogens and invasive species are increasingly putting the survival of these indispensable insects to the test.